Multiple can unit



T. SHIPLEY MULTIPLE CAN UNIT Filed Nov. 6, 1 925 named Jan. 20, 1925.

THOMAS SHIPLEY, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA MULTIPLE CAN "UNIT.

Application filed November 6, 1923. Serial No. 673,135.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, THOMAS SHrPLnY, a citizen of the United States, residing at York, in the county of York and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new "and useful Improvements in Multiple Gan of adequate strength without the undue consumption of valuable space, and the complication incident to the replacement of damaged cans have all exerted a marked restraining effect on their general adoption.

The present invention provides a unit which consists of a-frame of the utmost simplicity, and a plurality of cans of the type now standard in can ice plants. The frame is so contrived that the cans are more closely spaced than is the case inplants where individual cans are used, thus materially increasing the number of cans which can be accommodated in a tank of given area. Moreover, the cans are supported in the frame by the reinforcing bands at their tops in such a way that these bands not only sup port the cans, but also brace the frame. Individual cans may be removed from the frame and new cans may be substituted with relative ease.

In the fpreferred embodiment the frame consists o a pair of parallel side members of heavy plate whose depth and thickness are proportioned to the load and whose length somewhat exceeds the length of the group of cans when arranged side by side in a row, and a plurality of cross members connecting the side members and forming with the side members a series'of pockets in which the cans are sustained in pairs. The cross members project upward above the tops of the side members a distance 'commensurate with the depth of the reinforcing bands on the mouths of the cans, and the parts are so dimensioned that these bands rest on the tops of the side members and are in face contact wit-h the upward project ing portions of the cross members. Rivets, or the equivalent, pass through contacting reinforcing bands and through the reinforcing bands and the cross members. These serve as means for fastening the cans in place and for bracing the cross members together. 5; g

The connection of the side and cross members is simplified by forming the latter with integral projecting tongues at their ends, the tongues being passed through openings in the side members and then upset or riveted. This does away with all straps, angles, gussets, and the like, with a consequent saving of labor, material and space.

This same detail of construction is carried into special cross braces at the ends of the frame, and into related trunnions by which the unit is engaged by the can hoist.

Referring now to the accompanying drawing, a more detailed description will begiven.

In such drawing:

F ig."1 is a plan view of the complete unit. Fig. 2-i's a side elevation thereof.

, Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 3-8 of Fig. 1. v

Fig. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

The side members of the frame are illustrated at 5 and are formed of steel plate. The main cross members are. illustrated at 6 and, as is clearly shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the cross members project above the top edges of the side members 5. The connection between the side and cross members is made by forming tongues 7 on the ends of the cros members 6, passing the tongues 7 through apertures formed in the side members 5 to receive them, and then riveting over the .ends of the tongues 7 This construction is best shown in Fig. 4.

Spaced from the two end cross members 6 are two auxiliary cross members 8, one at each end of the frame structure, and these auxiliary cross members 8 are connected to the side members 5 in the same manner as are the cross members 6. A heavy cross bar or trunnion 9 extends between each auxiliary cross member 8, and the adjacent main cross members 6,. and serves as means for engaging the crane hook used for hoisting the can unit. The trunnions 9 have recan r viouslye cross members 6 and 8, just referred to, and are fixed in position by upsettin or riveting their ends, as is best shown in ig. 3.

The ice cans 10 are of the usual construction, being formed of relatively thin sheet metal with heavy reinforcing bands 11 riveted to their top margins, and these bands 11 are on the outside of the can mouths and thus form an outward projecting flange which is commonly used to sustain the can when in position in the freezing tank. The members 5 and 6 of the frame are so dimensioned that two cans 10, with their bands 11 in contact, will be received in the interval between successive cross members 6 andthe bands 11 will rest upon the tops of the side members 5 as is best shown in Fig. 4. From this it lesults that the cans are Supported by the reinforcing bands 11 and that the side members 5- lie almost enwithin the overall dimensions "of the oup, except at their ends, where the mem ers o'project to afford means for conmeeting the crane and means for sustaining the can unit when in place in the brine tank.

The cans of each pair are connected togetherby rivets 12 passed through their contacting bands 11. Similarly, a plurality of rivets 13 connect each cross member 6 with the adjacent can bands 11. This construction has the effect of causing the can bands 11 to brace the members 5 and 6. In this way, adequate rigidity is secured without any diagonal bracing.

The use of the riveted tongues 7 for connecting the members5 and 6 becomes practically possible as the result of a bracing effect of the can bands 11. The replacement of anew can, or pair of cans, can be effected b simply cutting out a few small rivets, ex- 0 anging the cans, and. driving new rivets.

It has heretofore been proposed to provide an air manifold pipe on multiple can units and to provide a connection from such manifold to each can. Such an arrangement is obpossible with the can unit above descri d, but is not a feature of the present invention and consequently is not illustrated.

Inspection of Fig. 1 will indicate that the cans in the individual units are spaced. extremely closely together and that a plurality of units may similarly be closely spaced when supported in the tank bythe end portions of the, side members 5. This close spacing of cans is a matter of the utmost importance in certain plants where the costof land is high andthe utmost conservation of space is consequently necessary.

The method of constructing the supporting frame, by forming integral tongues on the cross members, and riveting these tongues into the side members, is a feature which conduces greatly to the saving of space, and which may be used with various specifically difierent types of cans.

tirely What is claimed is:

1. In a'multiple can unit, the combination of a rectan ular frame composed of spaced side members and a plurality of cross members connecting said side members and projecting above the same; a plurality of cans having external reinforcing bands at their months. said bands resting on said side members and being in face contact with the upward projecting portions of said cross members; and rivets or the like connecting said bands with said cross members.

2. In a multiple can unit, the combination of a rectangular frame composed of deep relatively thin side members, spaced from each other and a plurality of deep relatively thin-cross members spaced. from each other and connecting said side members; a pluralit of cans having reinforcing bands arranged to fill the spaces between successive cross members; and connecting means engaging said bands and cross members and arranged to cause saidbands to brace said cross members in angular-relation to said side members.

3. In a multiple can unit, the combination of a rectangular frame composed of deep narrow side members spaced apart, and deep narrow cross members connecting said side members andp'rojectingabove the same; a plurality of cans having external reinforcing bands, said cans being arranged in pairs with said bands in contact between successive cross members said reinforcing bands resting on said side the upward extending members; and rivets adjacent reinforcing and with intervening cross members.

4. In a multiple can unit, the combination of a rectangular frame composed of deep relatively thin side members, spaced from each other and'a plurality of, deep relatively thin cross members'spaced from each other and connecting said side members; a plurality of cans having reinforcing bands arranged successive cross members; connecting means members andagainst portlons of sald cross or the hke connectmg engaging said bands and cross members and.

arranged to cause said bands to brace said cross members in angular relation to said side members; and auxiliary cross members at opposite endsof said frame provided with means to receive a hoisting connection.

In a multiple can unit, the combination of a rectangular frame composed of deep narrow side members spaced apart, and

" deep narrow cross members-connecting said side members and projecting above the same; a plurality of cans. having external reinforcing bands, said cans being arranged in pairs with said bands in contact between successive cross members, said reinforcing bands resting on said side members and against r the upward extending portions of said cross bands with each other, i

to fill the spaces between weaves members; rivets or the like connecting adjacent reinforcing bands with each other, and with intervenin cross members; and auxiliary cross mem ers at opposite ends of said frame provided with means to receive a hoisting connection.

6. In a multiple can unit, the combination of a plurality of cans having reinforcing bands and arranged in a row; means rigidly connecting the adjacent reinforcing bands of successive cans with each other; a pair of side members extending along the row of cans beneath and in supporting relation to said reinforcing bands; and means for connecting said side members with said reinforcing bands.

7. In a multiple can unit, the combination of a rectangular frame composed of deep narrow side members spaced apart, and deep narrow cross members connected at their ends with the side members by means of projecting tongues which extend through the side members and are riveted over the same; a plurality of cans fitting into the spaces between the side and cross members; and rivets connecting said cans with said frame and with each other.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

'riibMAs SHIPLEY. 

